Utah National Parks

They are all must see but for those who stay in their vehicle Canyonlands is probably at the bottom of the list. So Zion, Bryce, Arches and Capital Reefs. Natural Bridges is probably too out of the way and Hovenweep demands hiking out to the ruins. Most of the sites at Arches requires some walking too and it is very hot in July

the goosenecks. mesa arch in canyonlands.
bumpy

Thanks for the reply. I had thought Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef & Arches would be our main stops just didn't know if there was another must see. Thanks again.

From Zion head east through the tunnel but first check the tunnel length restrictions vs your rig and you'll need a permit. Zion is one of our favorite parks.

If you're heading east to see the reef, avoid the boring expressway and continue east across 95. The drive is magnificent, you get to see the ruins of Lake Powell and the Glenn Canyon NRA, and stop for the day at Natural Bridges. It has a great campground, tiny rustic sites set in juniper trees.

If you're great at self sufficiency drive down the dugway and visit the Valley of the Gods and Goosenecks state park (NO water for ~100 miles, no fuel, no dump stations - be prepared)

coachk wrote:
I'm leaving Vegas on the 13th of July & have about a week to see southern Utah. What are the must see's? We're not hikers so we figured a full day at each place would be plenty. Any thoughts or hints anyone can give would be much appreciated. Thanks

For some reason I cannot cut and paste my typed reply,

Suffice it to say there is a lot more than the five NP's to see in Utah.

First thing you will need to understand is that in July southern Utah is HOT, Really HOT, so you need to understand that you will need to plan the times you will be out of your car.

State parks all over

Goblins, Kodachrome, Goosenecks are three that should be considered.


Monument Valley is a MUST.

Rt 128 along the Colorado River is a MUST.

RT 12 and the Hog Back is a MUST.

Lake Powell and the Dam is a MUST.

You are aware that from Utah you can Visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and that the drive into Utah from Nevada on I-15 will take you by a beautiful section of the Interstate as it runs along the Virgin River.

agesilaus wrote:
They are all must see but for those who stay in their vehicle Canyonlands is probably at the bottom of the list.

If they do canyonlands, I would recommend just going into the first "T" IIrc and check out Mesa Arch there. from there North is a long drive to upheaval dome, and South is long and boring.
do not take the dugway in a rV
bumpy

coachk wrote:
Thanks for the reply. I had thought Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef & Arches would be our main stops just didn't know if there was another must see. Thanks again.

That should definitely take care of your week. Bryce will be the coolest temps in July; next Capitol Reef and the hottest will be Zion and Arches.

I'll be in Vegas about the same time for a business meeting. Planning to combine business with pleasure, though, I want to spend a couple days at Grand Canyon's north rim (high elevation, relatively cool) and a day at Zion (to hike the Narrows, where it's cool). You really will appreciate your air conditioner in southern Utah during the summer. Fortunately you can see quite a bit from your vehicle as you drive around Bryce and Capitol Reef and Arches. But do try to walk to a few of the arch formations closest to the parking lots, because nothing compares with standing under them or seeing them right up close. (Or running under them, as these kids were doing!)




The views to the east along Hwy 12 between Boulder and Grover are spectacular. I boondocked up there one year, just off the highway, about 100 yards from the edge; a short walk with a lawn chair under one arm and a cold drink in the other hand, and I was all set.

You said a week - one week. That being said I would stick with the Bryce, Zion, Arches and Capitol Reef. Zion my least favorite unless you are serious hikers because you go by bus down the canyon floor and look up - best part of the whole place is the drive in from the tunnel. We love all the others - been to them many times and will be back to Bryce this summer on way to OR.

One week - and with the travel time needed to get from one to the other - leaves you very little time so SEE them; you can say you were there but have will not really have seen them in all their beauty. But we do what we can, right!

We LOVE the UT NP's.